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Tilos - History |
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The island was first inhabited
in the early Neolithic period 8000-7000 b.c. as finds in the cave of
Harcadio show. There was contact both with the Minoans and the Mycenaean's
who seem to have settled on the island. From excavations carried out
Pelasgian walls were also found. However the island's most important
period was the 7th century BC when Tilians together with Lindians settled
in Sicily and built the well-known city of Gelas. The tyrants Gelon and
Ieron were from Tilos. The island flourished during the classical era also
having its own coinage and being famous for clothing and perfumes.
Thereafter, the history of Tilos followed that of Rhodes to which the
island was united. In Byzantine times, together with Nisiros, Kos,and
Samos it constituted the Samos Issue. The Knights of St John who either
reconstructed or built three of the island’s castles inhabited it. At
this time ecclesiastical wall painting was developed. In 1522 the Turks
who occupied it until 1948 when it was reunited with HELLAS-GREECE who conquered the island The
Castle. This is where the acropolis of
the ancient city used to be and where stood the sanctuary of Pythios
Apollo and Pallas Athina. In the ruins of this sanctuary the church of
Archangel Michael with wall paintings from the 16th century AD now stands.
The best time to visit the place is in the afternoon where the view and
the sunset are unique. The Knights of St John repaired the castle. |
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